2015

As part of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), 90 developed and developing countries, including those of the EU, have pledged to "curb" their greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 in order to prevent damaging consequences for climate change. As these commitments are not sufficient to prevent the severe impact of climate change, a Climate Change Agreement, legally binding for all parties, should be concluded as a Protocol to the UNFCCC in Paris in December 2015 and implemented from 2020 onwards. The European Commission wants to prepare the EU for the final round of international talks prior to the Climate Conference in Paris and therefore defines the requirements that the EU has in relation to the planned Paris Protocol.

2015

The EU Commission presents its plans on the establishment of a Capital Markets Union. With this, it wants improve access to financing for, in particular, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), increase and diversify the sources of funding for businesses and make capital markets more effective and efficient. The cep has taken a closer look at the Commission’s plans for a Capital Markets Union.

2015

The European Commission clarifies its Strategic Framework for an Energy Union and the associated climate and energy policy measures which it is planning for the coming years. It supports inter alia in this regard an expansion of cross-border gas infrastructure in the EU and tighter CO2 limits for motor vehicles.

2015

Due to the one-sided dependence of many Central and Eastern European Member States of the EU on Russian gas imports, the options for joint gas purchasing from non-EU countries are currently discussed. This cepInput describes the economic impacts of mandatory as well as voluntary joint gas purchasing mechanisms in the EU and explains the legal preconditions for joint gas purchasing associations.

2015

The Commission assumes an investment gap in the EU, as investments have fallen in the EU by 15% since 2007. Consequently, it wants to mobilise investments in the EU amounting to € 315 billion by creating a European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI).

2015

The European Council calls for the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) to be developed to the main European instrument to prevent climate change. The cep examines how an extension of the EU ETS, for example on the road transport sector, can induce effective and efficient climate protection. It is straightforward that an extension of the EU ETS using the upstream approach can be implemented and is preferable to regulatory climate change measures.

2015

The Commission wants to combat unfair trading practices in the food supply chain. It wants to examine the effectiveness of the voluntary Supply Chain Initiative (SCI) and encourage more companies and associations to join. In addition, the exchange of information about national legislation to combat unfair trading practices between the Member States will be improved. The authorities responsible for implementing national legislation will work together "effectively". The Commission wants to assess the progress of national implementation measures.